Could it be scarcastic?

Posted by Smokey Stover on June 19, 2006

In Reply to: Could it be scarcastic? posted by Lewis on June 19, 2006

: : : The saying: "Good for you!" followings someone's good fortune; Could it be scarcastic/jealousy??-Never got quite behind this one?

: : Yes. Any positive statement of any kind can be rendered sarcastically.

: You are so right, Bob!
: L

It is in the nature of sarcasm to be couched in deceptive language. However, that doesn't make all positive utterances suspect as possible examples of sarcasm. Most positive speech is just positive speech. Most people engaging in sarcasm wish it to be known, at least to some of their interlocutors, that they are being sarcastic. So most people have their antennae on the alert for possible sarcasm, and usually detect the tell-tale clues easily. Incidentally, sarcasm does not have to be directed towards someone actually present. Not only individual third parties, but whole institutions (such as the U.S. Congress) are constantly the object of sarcastic remarks. And it's hard to imagine women talking at any length about men without an abundance of sarcasm, if you care to read between the lines. Or even if you don't. SS

• Could it be scarcastic? Brian from Shawnee 19/June/06
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